Burial-case protector.



110,721,355. PATENTED FEB. 24, 1903i H. D. CLARK.

BURIAL CASE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR... 31, 1902.

I I0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUGH D. CLARK, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

BURlAL-OASE PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 721,355. dated February24, 1903. Application filed March 31.1902. Serial No. 100,826. (No modelTo all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH D. CLARK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Burial-Case Protectors,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of burial-case protectors; andthe objects of my invention are to provide a simple and elfective meansand mechanism for securely locking or anchoring a casket-containing casewithin a grave, to provide improved means for locking the casket-casehood or cover in connection with the anchor-frame upon which thecasket-containing case'rests','and to produce other improvements thedetails of construction of which will be more fully pointed outhereinafter. These objects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a View in perspective of myimproved anchor-frame. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of theburial-case cover or hood, showing the under side of the same. Fig. 3 isa perspective view of the burial-case cover or hood, showing 'the sameinverted from the position shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a transversesection through a portion of a grave, showing a burial-case securedtherein by my improved mechanism.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out my invention I employ an oblong anchor-frame which isdesigned to rest on the bottom of the grave and be anchored, inconnection with the side walls thereof, in the manner hereinafterdescribed. This anchor-frame, which is more clearly illustrated;

in Fig. l of the drawings,'consists of a con: tral horizontal bar orplate 1, which extends longitudinally with reference to the grave andwhich is provided on opposite sides of the center of its length withfixed cross-bars 2, which at their outer ends are connected byhorizontal and parallel side frame-bars 3. From each endof each of theseside framebars rise the outer and inner walls or flanges 4 and 4 of achannel-shaped keeper 4, the inner vertical wall 4 being higher than theoutward wall 4 and having securedto its outer face the upper ends ofdownwardly-extending and outwardly-bent spring-strips 5. Each set ofkeeper-bodies 4 has formed through its inner and outer wall portions 4and 4 at their lower ends, oppositely-located openings 6. Each end ofthe central bar 1 is provided with an upturned flange 7, through thelower 1 portion of which is formed an opening 8. The

frame thus described is adapted when seated on'the bottom or floor of agrave to be anchored in its position by driving separatelyformedanchor-bars 9 horizontally through the opposite openings 6 of thechannel-keepers 4 and through the openings 8 of the bar end flanges 7into the side walls of the grave. The inner endportions of theseanchor-bars 9 may then be further connected with the earth by thedriving of pins vertically through holes formed in said anchor-bars andin the bar 1, these pins being indicated at-lO in Fig. 4.

Upon' the anchor-frame and between the inner wall portions 4 of thekeepers and between the end flanges 7 of the bar 1 is designed to beseated the rough box or casketcontaining case 11. In order to securethis casket-containing case against removal and at the same time provideacasing therefor, I provide an oblong metallic hood or box-like casing12, the open under side of which is provided at its edge portions withan anglebar 13, the inner flange of said angle-bar being provided onopposite sides of the box or hood with latch-plates 14, theupwardly-extending portions of which form tongues which,

,when the hood is so placed over the casketcontaining case 11 as tocause its lower edge portions to enter the channels of the keepers 4,engage with the under sides of the spring latch-strips 5 of saidkeepers, thereby preventing any'upward or lifting movement of said-hoodwhen its lower edge portions have been thus pressed into said keepers,

From the construction and operationdescribed it will be seenthatsimple-and effective means are provided for anchoring thecasket-case-supporting frame in connection with the side and end wallsof the grave and that the means for locking the hood or casing 12 inconnection with the anchor-frame are simple and positive.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

projecting channel-like keepers on the sides of said frame, said keepershaving catchstrips 5 secured thereto and projecting within the channelsthereof and means for locking said anchor-frame in connection with thegrave-walls, of a metallic hood 12, the lower edge portion of which isadapted to be received by said keepers and to engage said catch-strips,substantially as specified.

HUGH D. CLARK.

In presence of- P. S. KARSHNER, A. L. PHELPS.

